GDHQNFL14_Baltimore Ravens3

Baltimore Ravens Gameday HQ

Three Questions
1. Can the Ravens find their Super Bowl form?
Not this season. The Ravens will surely be better, but they’re a long way
away from the team which won the Super Bowl two seasons ago. The
offensive line is weaker. The defensive line is not as good. The offensive
line allows way too many sacks. There are simply too many holes to plug.
2. Is the running game good enough?
Rice will be suspended for two games and it’s not easy to return after an
absence and rack up yardage and touchdowns. Pierce has played well
in stretches, but hasn’t shown the consistency that’s needed in the NFL.
Rice can be a dominant running back when healthy. If he can come back
mentally and physically strong, the Ravens will be better than expected.
3. Are the Ravens an aging team?
Yes. Suggs and Smith are examples on both sides of the football. There are
a number of other key players approaching 30 or north of 30. That’s the
case on many teams, but the Ravens need to get younger. Their overall
draft class will help immensely yet rookies don’t always step in and make
plays right away. The veterans must stay on the field and provide valuable
leadership to the younger players.
the playoffs—they’ll need to find their identity on defense. Defensive
coordinator Dean Pees has a daunting challenge ahead without the big
names from the past. But there’s enough talent to spread around to help the
Ravens win plenty of games this season.
Defensive leader Terrell Suggs will be back to carry the leadership role
and the young players will surely feed off his aggressive play. If the Ravens
can avoid giving up chunks of yardage, they’ll likely be back in the playoffs.
Coach John Harbaugh is never afraid of change and that has made him
one of the most successful coaches in the league. Expect a tweaked and
improved defense in 2014.
Defensive Player to Watch
Linebacker Terrell Suggs is competing in his 12th training camp. But
Suggs missed the playoffs last season, the first time since 2007 that has
happened. Finishing 12th in the league in total yards allowed had to bother
Suggs, one of the most emotional and passionate players in the league.
The 31-year-old Suggs had 80 total tackles and 10 sacks last season. For his
career, Suggs has 668 tackles and 94.5 sacks. Individual statistics don’t drive
Suggs. Rather, he’ll be motivated by missing the playoffs and how much
work and dedication it will take to get back to the postseason. The Ravens’
first-round pick in 2003, Suggs is used to competing in the playoffs. Missing
the postseason two seasons in a row would be devastating to a proud player
such as Suggs. The difficult task will be mentoring a number of young
players, who haven’t been through a grueling 16-game season.
Ravens Special Teams
The Ravens feature one of the most dynamic kickers in the league in
Justin Tucker. With six game-winning field goals in the last two seasons,
Tucker has proven to be extremely valuable. Tucker has been clutch, making
22 of his 24 field goals in the fourth quarter. Tucker was 38-for-41 (92.3
percent) last season. Punter Sam Koch and long snapper Morgan Cox are
back and should provide consistency on special teams. Harbaugh has always
TEAM ROSTER
RAVENS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
QB Joe Flacco
Tyrod Taylor
RB Ray Rice
Bernard Pierce
FB Kyle Juszczyk
WR Steve Smith, Torrey Smith
Marlon Brown, Jacoby Jones
TE Dennis Pitta
Owen Daniels
C Jeremy Zuttah
Gino Gradkowski
DEFENSE
RG Marshal Yanda
John Urschel
LG Kelechi Osemele
A.Q Shipley
RT Ricky Wagner
Jah Reid
LT Eugene Monroe
James Hurst
LDE Chris Canty
Brent Urban
RDE Brandon Williams
Terrence Cody
LOLB Terrell Suggs
Pernell McPhee
ROLB Courtney Upshaw
Elvis Dumervil
LILB C.J. Mosley
Arthur Brown
RILB Daryl Smith
Albert McClellan
CB Jimmy Smith, Lardarius Webb
Chykie Brown, Asa Jackson
S Matt Elam, Terrence Brooks
Anthony Levine, Darian Stewart
SPECIAL TEAMS
K Justin Tucker
P Sam Koch
KR Jacoby Jones